How Jim Kelly Is Helping Cancer Patients and Their Families

Hall-of-Fame quarterback Jim Kelly is known for his remarkable resilience on the gridiron. The Bills great repeatedly summoned his physical and mental strength to bounce back from injuries during his playing days, taking his team to four straight Super Bowls in the early 90s. But his motto—“You have to be ‘Kelly tough’”—became even more vital when the QB was diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell cancer in his upper jaw in 2013. Nine months later the cancer returned in his sinus, leading to further treatments. Though Kelly fought all the way back to being cancer-free in 2014, he is continuing to raise cancer awareness with a new campaign called “Your Cancer Game Plan.”

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Kelly has partnered with Merck to provide support and resources for patients with head and neck cancer, as well as their families. On the campaign’s website, you can find Kelly’s inspiring story, other motivational tales from cancer patients, nutrition information and recipes, and tips for how to cope, communicate, and remain positive while battling cancer.

“I know first-hand the special challenges people living with this disease and their families face,” Kelly said in a press release. “My experience taught me so much about the importance of emotional support and taking care of myself, and I hope that by sharing my experience, I can inspire others to take action and know their game plan.”

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